Life-preserver.



Patented Feb. 20, I900.

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(No Model.)

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y INVENTORS W M AI/0mm Nrrn TATES JACOB SILBAR AND HYMAN SILBAR, OF MILlVAUKEE, VISCONSIN.

LlFE-PRESERVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,688, dated February 20, 1900.

Application filed November 21, 1899. Serial No. 737,761. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JACOB SILBAR and HY- MAN SILBAR, citizens of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Life-Preservers; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to life-preservers, especially of that class known as pneumatic life-preservers; and it consists of certain new and useful improvements, which will be particularly pointed out in the specification and claim.

For a clear and full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein corresponding letters indicate like parts in the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the device ready for use. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the improved strap device for retaining the preserver in proper position and to prevent it from working up. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of the preserver with a strap device detached, and Fig. at is a rear view of such modification.

The preserver consists of a pneumatic jacket A, made air-tight of any suitable material and in the shape of a vest having two front portions a; b and a rear portion 0, the front portions being secured together after the vest is put on in any well-known manner, preferably by sockets on one portion and corresponding projections on the opposite portion, which may be secured quickly and firmly together by pressure only.

D and E are apertures for the arms, and O for the neck.

F is the strap device for retaining the jacket in proper position and to prevent the same from working up, which is an important element in the invention.

It has been found in practical use that straps or bands around the waist do not hold lifepreservers down, but, on the contrary, they work upwardly after becoming wet and hamper or embarrass persons in their movements h, securely fastened to the lower front edges of the jacket, and the rear ends h h are apertured to permit adjustment after they are attached to the buckles h 7?. The snap-buckles on the front ends of the straps G G may be secured thereon either fixedly or by buckles in any well-known manner to permit adj ustment. This improved strap device, therefore, forms an easy seat for a person, prevents binding, is comfortable, and gives entire freedom to the lower limbs. This jacket is made out of a single piece of strong durable material, stitched, bound, or cemented together around the neck, armholes, and 011 the edges to a lining of rubber cloth of similar shape, with seams only on the shoulders thereof. In the upper part of the left-hand portion 1) is secured in an air-tight manner a suitable valve J, of any well-known kind, for inflating the jacket by simply bending the head forward and applying the mouth to the tube. In case the front portions are constructed as independent air-cells a similar valve could be secured at a corresponding point j on portion a.

Figs.3 and 4 represent, respectively, a front and rear view of a modification of our jacket with straps detached.

The only difference between the modification and the first-described jacket is in the division of the one large interior air-cell into two by means of stitching or cementing or otherwise properly dividing the same on the line K, as indicated,and securing in the front portion B a similar inflating-tube L, whose upper extremity is secured in any suitable manner to the outer surface of upper chamberB, near tube J. In this manner the jacket consists of two rear portions 0 o and the front portions A A B B, and it is evident that in case one portion of the jacket becomes punctured in any manner there would still remain another air-cell to serve the required pur pose. It is also evident that by vertically diably attached to the lower edges of the jacket viding the back further air-cells could be to hold the latter in place, substantially as formed. described and set forth.

Having thus described our invention, what In testimony whereof we affix our signatures 5 we desire to secure by Letters Patent is in presence of two witnesses.

In a life-preserver, the combination of a JACOB SILBAR.

pneumatic jacket and means to inflate the HYMAN SILBAR. same, a Wide seat portion 1, straps extending Witnesses: forwardly and rearwardly from the corners JAMES F. GRIFFIN,

:0 thereof, the ends of said straps being adjust- F. J. ROWAN. 

